As She Takes, She Gives
The first frost
The earth exhales,
Sharpening her blade on the wind.
She arrives quietly, like a mourner,
Drawing white breath over blades of grass
And the last stubborn blooms
That forgot the time
Had passed.
Leaves, brittle and brown,
wear the season’s adornment,
edged in silver.
The flowers bend beneath her breath,
silent, surrendered—
But knowing this is not death,
but preparation.
Transmutation, turning
debased petals into gold.
Their pulses slowed to match
the stillness of soil.
Their toils foiled, but they do not recoil.
As she takes,
She gives:
The promise of rest,
and the necessity of stillness.
A quiet prelude to a world reborn.
About the Creator
E.K. Daniels
Writer, watercolorist, and regular at the restaurant at the end of the universe. Twitter @inkladen
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Comments (24)
Terrific job, E.K. This was one of my favourite lines, “debased petals into gold.” Excellent wordplay on that one! 😄
Beautiful EK. Congratulations on top story. Hoping to see this one somewhere in the winner’s circle!
Congratulations on Top Story!
What a beautiful piece, haunting and incredibly vivid. Congrats on your top story
I really enjoyed your piece; it was beautifully written and resonated with me. I would be honoured if you could give my stories on Vocal a look and share your thoughts. And if you like what you read, please consider subscribing. Let's support each other's creative journeys. Have a great day.
I really felt like this captured mother earth and nature and rebirth.
Rebirth. I loved the acceptance and optimism of this.
beautiful poem
This is a beautiful winter poem - everything rests and resets in winter. Congrats on TS 🎉
Very beautiful. ❄️
Well deserved Top Story! I especially like the conclusion ✅.
Congratulations on the Top Story Amazing poem!
Congratulations on top story
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Such a powerful words, that resonated with me every step of the way. Incredible!
Wow, such a powerful poem. Amazing choice of words, love how you described the breeze. Congratulations on top story. Well deserve.
This poem is so lovely. Congratulations on the Top Story, too.
Oh and congrats on top story! 👏😄
Beautifully written. I love poems about nature!
Beautifully done. Congrats on the TS.
So nice!
Gorgeous! Outstanding poetry, E.K!
mmm wonderful poem
Sharpening her blade on the wind! I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better description for a cutting breeze. Thought this was absolutely amazing.